[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 116 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14718]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 17, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Chapter I

 

Invoicing Procedures for Freight Carriers

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Postal Service is considering changes to its payment 
system to permit the implementation of new software applications. The 
Postal Service seeks comments from interested parties, because these 
changes would affect invoicing procedures for freight transportation 
carriers.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 18, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to: Manager, 
Materiel Distribution, U.S. Postal Service, room 1141, 475 L'Enfant 
Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20260-6225. Copies of all written comments 
will be available for inspection and photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Frank Scheer, (202) 268-2120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 39 U.S.C. 401(4), the Postal Service 
has the general power to determine and keep its own system of accounts 
and the forms and contents of its contracts and other business 
documents. In the past, for freight invoicing purposes, the Postal 
Service has generally used Government Bills of Lading, Standard Form 
1103 (SF 1103), in accordance with the procedures set forth in 41 CFR 
101-41.000, et seq. The Postal Service is considering changes to its 
payment system that would affect invoicing procedures for all freight 
transportation carriers currently handling shipments on Government 
Bills of Lading. Shipments of U.S. Mail, household goods, or other 
personal property not handled on SF 1103 would not be covered by the 
new payment system.
    This change would permit the Postal Service to implement new 
software applications for freight traffic management. The principal 
feature of the new system would be to permit freight carriers to submit 
billings either electronically, or by paper invoices using the Public 
Voucher, Standard Form 1113 (SF 1113), along with the required 
supporting documentation.
    New billing procedures would be drafted to provide guidance both 
for electronic and paper billing. These procedures would include 
information about the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) approval 
process, Trading Partner Agreements, submission of electronic invoices, 
testing rejection and resubmission of valid invoices, payments, and 
suspension of EDI operations. Information about waivers, payee codes, 
and other payment processes would also be included.
    The Postal Service believes that freight carriers electing to 
conduct business electronically should be required to use the EDI 
Standards X12, developed by the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) of 
the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Postal Service 
would obtain commercial EDI Value-Added Network (VAN) services to send 
and receive EDI shipping and billing data. Carriers would be required 
to use the VAN selected by the Postal Service to transfer data 
electronically for these transactions.
    Although existing procedures for issuing and paying Government 
Bills of Lading for Postal Service shipments will continue, one change 
would be required to be consistent with electronic practices, if they 
are implemented. Any carrier submitting paper billings would be 
required to include its Tax Identification Number (TIN) on the SF 1113. 
A TIN for a parent company would also be required if the carrier is a 
subsidiary of a parent company. The carrier TIN would be used for 
vendor identification during payment processing; the Postal Service 
would not assign its own vendor supplier code for this purpose.
    In view of the foregoing, the Postal Service requests comments and 
proposals from interested parties on the following matters:
1. The level of carrier interest in electronic communications to 
replace hardcopy bills of lading and freight bills.
2. The procedures carriers would prefer to see used for handling these 
transactions.
3. The impact upon carriers of adding the carrier's TIN to SF 1113.
    Comments regarding these matters are requested within 30 days of 
the date of publication of this notice. The Postal Service will take 
these comments under consideration as it formulates possible changes in 
its payment system.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative Division.
[FR Doc. 94-14718 Filed 6-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P